There are a few main processes that are undertaken by toxicologist to analyse human remains such as blood, urine, hair, nails and other post mortem bodily fluids (Napoletano S et al. 2012) The most common of them Gas chromatography, Liquid chromatography, and Mass spectrometry, these processes enable the toxicologist to identify and measure the chemical compounds that may be found in the human remains (Sergi M. et al. 2012).
Often Liquid Chromatography (LC) and Mass spectrometry (MS) will be combined to form a LC-MS test. This test works by using Liquid Chromatography to separate the mixtures and then ionize the chemicals to create charged particles that will be weighed in a mass to charge ratio by Mass spectrometry (Pratt. KA et al. 2011). This test then differentiates samples that have a high sensitivity and selectivity and allows them to be easily identified. It does have its limitations however and it will not work well on urine samples (Napoletano S et al. 2012).
This is when the toxicologist will choose to use Gas chromatography instead (Napoletano S et al. 2012).Gas Chromatography will be combined with Mass spectrometry to create a GC/MS test. This test works by dissolving a small amount of the sample in a solvent separating the different chemical components from one another and identifying what each one is. This can be achieved as the compounds are heated and electrons are produced each element moves at its own speed allowing scientist to identify exactly what poisons or drugs are present wit in the sample. From these tests the scientist will be able to identify compounds such as benzodiazepines, opiates and amphetamines helping them distinguish what kind of drug or poison may have been used and what effect it had on the human remain (Uttam G 2008).
Once they have established what has happened to the person to which the human remain belongs to, their findings are recorded and if need be they may be called into to testify in a court of law (Peters FT et al 2012). Forensic chemistry is very important in the analysis of humans remains as the
techniques used are specific to forensic chemistry and without these specialist there would be many deaths that could not be solved by autopsies alone.
Often Liquid Chromatography (LC) and Mass spectrometry (MS) will be combined to form a LC-MS test. This test works by using Liquid Chromatography to separate the mixtures and then ionize the chemicals to create charged particles that will be weighed in a mass to charge ratio by Mass spectrometry (Pratt. KA et al. 2011). This test then differentiates samples that have a high sensitivity and selectivity and allows them to be easily identified. It does have its limitations however and it will not work well on urine samples (Napoletano S et al. 2012).
This is when the toxicologist will choose to use Gas chromatography instead (Napoletano S et al. 2012).Gas Chromatography will be combined with Mass spectrometry to create a GC/MS test. This test works by dissolving a small amount of the sample in a solvent separating the different chemical components from one another and identifying what each one is. This can be achieved as the compounds are heated and electrons are produced each element moves at its own speed allowing scientist to identify exactly what poisons or drugs are present wit in the sample. From these tests the scientist will be able to identify compounds such as benzodiazepines, opiates and amphetamines helping them distinguish what kind of drug or poison may have been used and what effect it had on the human remain (Uttam G 2008).
Once they have established what has happened to the person to which the human remain belongs to, their findings are recorded and if need be they may be called into to testify in a court of law (Peters FT et al 2012). Forensic chemistry is very important in the analysis of humans remains as the
techniques used are specific to forensic chemistry and without these specialist there would be many deaths that could not be solved by autopsies alone.
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